Lesson Plans: Using Film in the History Classroom
Gandhi - 1982: Curriculum Guide

Objectives, historical background, activities, and references

Topic: India / Civil Rights Movement / Biographical / Non-violence

Biography: Mahatma Gandhi

The film is a biography of Mahatma Gandhi, an advocate of non-violence and social reform for his native India. He promotes non-violent civil disobedience to influence governments to change their policies and to gain independence for India. Another theme that runs through the film is Gandhi's efforts towards a brotherhood of Hindu and Muslim. He spoke out against the repression of women and the caste system. Gandhi is credited with personally saving hundreds of thousands of lives because of his leadership and exemplary life. The movie overall is historically accurate. The film is a great tool to be used in educating the student about one of the most remarkable men of this century.

Historical Background:

• Both India and South Africa in the early 20th century were colonies of the British Empire. Gandhi will study in London and in visiting South Africa he was impacted by the oppression that he saw there. His first tactics of civil disobedience will be formulated in South Africa as a result of what he saw. He will return to India where he will wage a non-violent revolution against colonial rule.
• India will achieve its independence in 1947.
• Of all the religious groups in India the largest are the Hindus and Muslims. Britain practiced a "divide and conquer" rule as it inflamed intolerance between the two groups to keep them from providing a unified front.
• Gandhi will fight two lifelong struggles: one for freedom from the British and the other for freedom from his own worldly desires. The private struggle is not dealt with in the film. Other facts are also left out, such as: his bouts of depression that isolated him from even his closest friends and his difficult and demanding personality. Gandhi was well aware of his weaknesses and faults.
• Gandhi also tried to address the issue of the Indian caste system. His intent was to have the Indians abandon the system.

 

Activities and Questions:

1. This movie may require some time spent on vocabulary. There are numerous terms that need to be defined such as Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, caste, untouchable, Brahmin.
2. What other great leaders in history have advocated non-violent civil disobedience?
3. Has the United States benefited from the influence of Gandhi?
4. Could this method of non-violent civil disobedience have been used against Hitler? Stalin? Why or why not?
5. Have the students write an essay in which they compare and contrast two leaders who advocated non-violent civil disobedience.
6. Are there times when this method should not be used?
7. Have the students research Gandhi's position on women.

 

References for Teachers:

There is an abundance of literature on Gandhi as well as others who practiced non-violent civil disobedience. For school age children, Victoria Sherrow's Mohandas Gandhi: Power of the Spirit is excellent.

Internet material is also available. There is a web site devoted to Gandhi. http://www.mahatma.org.in